What an amazing experience today with Riptide Ride in Munising, MI. I knew it was a boat ride that circled Grand Island in Munising but I did not know it was a THRILL RIDE! OMG! Our Tour Guide Tim was awesome. His history of Munising & Grand Island added to the mystic of this ride. In addition his boating skills were phenomenal. Throughout the ride Tim would speed up, slow down, twist the boat to the left then the right. I swear at times we were at a 90° angle cruising through Lake Superior as we circled Grand Island. This ride needs to be on everyone's bucket list especially if you find yourself traveling the UP Upper Peninsula, MI. Thank you Tim. read more

We had an amazing time with our captain Tim. He was informative, witty and gave us an awesome ride. Not your everyday boat tour! Chilly but oh, so much fun!! read more

Riptide Ride - Tours Near Me - Munising, Michigan

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This was an incredible boat ride! The owner, who was also the captain, was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and super safe. He gave us an amazing tour, stopping as close as possible to let us enjoy the breathtaking views. The day was fantastic, and the view of the rocks and the lake was simply spectacular. I'll cherish this experience with my family for years to come. I highly recommend this as an amazing experience. My kid loved it! Hands down, the best experience I've ever had. The service was top-notch, and the boat was clean and fast. read more

This was a great way to end our trip to the Upper Peninsula! If you want to add some fun into your boat tour this is it. It's a small local run operation and the captain was so friendly and welcoming, and an expert in driving this boat up into the caves and rock formations. This tour goes around Grand Island, not along the national park lakeshore, but I actually am glad we did this one instead because there were both interesting and tall formations. And the captain mentioned he grew up here so he had a lot of information to share during the tour and has clearly been building his knowledge for many years. I was in the front of the boat but I felt he took his time in maneuvering the boat on all our stops to give everyone in the boat a chance to have a front row seat. It's a good idea to dress warmer than you think you should, and you'll be more comfortable. Growing up on the Mississippi River in Iowa/Wisconsin I planned for this and had a great time. I can't speak on the experience as it relates to kids, but if you pay attention to the details when you're booking (where the tour goes, cancellation policies, what to expect) and you aren't a stick in the mud, you're gonna have a great time too. read more

Awesome boat ride ! Amazing views ! Fast tour of the picturesque rocks . Very fun . We got wet . read more

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the ride was great and totally deserved a five star and the people were very nice and friendly and really informative too about the picture rocks which were truly beautiful we also saw to bald eagles and were told black bears could be seen the island but rarely yet the biggest problem was they refused to let my little brother in and it does not say anything about the people on the boat needing to be above ten and I consider this an outrage but we also did get a bit wet but it was generally awesome but the one part was the tiniest bit bad bad but other then that it was awsome. But the best part was how skilled the captain was so he was so awesome and nice it also very cheap read more

I feel like the price for this was worth it! The husband who drives the boat is very knowledgeable and lets each side of the boat get their pictures when stopping to look at a certain location. I'd still recommend sitting on the left side. Overall, a fun and beautiful time despite it being windy. Great atmosphere and attitude. & yes you will get wet but you dry off here and there w the wind read more

Absolutely the best jet boat ride, super awesome experience along with beautiful sights! Very nice staff and worth the money. read more

We went on the riptide ride with my party of 8 people and it was a experience that we will never forget. Our guide was very nice and told us a lot about the history of the island and the landmarks and made the ride much more enjoyable read more

Everyone had a blast (minus my youngest. He was 3. And wasn't so sure about everything). The driver was very knowledgeable and you could tell he enjoys his job! The price is a bit much. So I'm not sure we'd do it again. But for a once in a lifetime thing, it was worth it. read more

our first stop in the UP was the riptide ride, and it was without a doubt the highlight of our trip to pictured rocks. You will get Soaked! So fun read more

This was so much fun! We had a boat ride with an experienced boat driver that got us into great spots to see water falls caves and many breathtaking views- up close- he also made the boat ride extra fun by playing fun music and giving us g us a splash here and there- no one stayed dry but it was a beautiful day! We loved it! read more

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We highly recommend this place! We went on a Wednesday at 11am and sat on the left side of the boat 3rd row from back. Tim the owner and captain was very informative on the tour and pointed out eagles and nests. Waterfalls and pictured rocks and depth of water. I am not a water or boat person and I enjoyed it! I would suggest to wear water shoes and rainco read more

Riptide Ride - "Face" - Tours Near Me - Munising, Michigan

Absolutely loved it. I don't remember their names but it's a husband and wife team that run this company. The wife runs the shop and the husband gets to play on the boat (not in a bad way) . I'm glad we stumbled across this tour because I've taken the basic tour but this one is honestly thrilling and beautiful all at the same time. You go around grand island and they are very knowledgeable about everything. We saw bald eagles and all the cliffs which only get better the farther you get into the tour. The boat goes really close in some spots which is really cool. Definitely recommend for anyone who wants to see around grand island but wants thrill as well. Just a heads up though you do have a chance of getting wet read more

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We had such an amazing time!! My boyfriend and I are here celebrating our birthdays and we couldn't have picked a better tour of pictured rocks. We genuinely had a blast, it was so much fun- just be prepared to get wet if especially if you sit in the front (lol!) I don't have enough great things to say about this tour and the tour guides. The boat is so impressive too. 2 800s! For some background we went mid September and the weather was perfect. Got there an hour early and we were the first people there! read more

Whew - Riptide Ride was certainly a thrilling adventure! We have vacationed in the Pictured Rocks area for years and drove past the Riptide building countless times and finally said, "Let's do it." We picked a perfect day to do it. The temperature was in the 80s and the lake was calm as ever. With that being said, I don't know how enjoyable the Riptide Ride would be on a windy, chilly and/or wavy day. When the boat took off, I had an "Oh crap" moment. I like adventure, but it took some getting used to. The spins are part of the fun, but they were more intense than I realized. Let's just say, there is a reason you must wear a seat belt the whole time and the captain instructs you to hold on to the railing in front of you. There were people of all ages on our ride, and while some kids loved it, others found it to be too much excitement and were clearly freaked out. Overall, it was a fun and informative tour around Grand Island. We saw a few bald eagles, plus a nest. The captain slows the boat for you to take pictures. I could do the Pictured Rocks Cruises year after year...but I'm not sure if I'll do the Riptide Ride again. While fun, my stomach was in knots and that hindered my experience. I cringe every time the captain said, "Prepare for a spin..." Like I said, we went on a warm, sunny day with a calm lake. It would definitely not be fun to be soaking wet on a cold day! Side note: I'm impressed with the storefront/gift shop. Clean, well kept, lots of great merchandise and very nice bathrooms. Wish they had snacks and drinks for sale, but those items are not allowed on the boat ride, so it makes sense. read more

Had a fun time, but definitely wish we would have had a livelier group of people on our boat--think that would have made it more fun! We'd definitely go back with friends for a wilder ride. The boat ride itself was a blast, and we loved how the captain was able to squeeze us underneath the outcropping rocks so we got a better view. The speed was fun, the riptide turns a blast! Only reason we didn't give this a 5 star is because I wish Capt. Tim gave a little more information about the area and/or the Pictured Rocks. read more

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Capt Tim was the best. He will take great care of you and your family. This was a absolute blast. Great scenery up close .. this littler boat can get closer and get you there faster which is exactly what i wanted. It will be cold and wet even on the hot summer days... so dress for it. boat shoes, sweat shirt , jeans, rain gear. camera that can get wet. get there early and get in line .. so you can chose the left side of the boat and Ideally upfront or lots of head in the way was of your pics. we could have been on the left or the right .. we chose wrong. the staff is wonderful. it's fun you will get SOAKED and tossed around a bit. He does these boat spins that are a blast but wow you get wet. a water proof layer or rain gear would be a great idea. I am old with bad shoulders and days later i'm still sore but dont regret a moment of it. It was a blast. I laughed so hard. it was like being young again for a few moments. Once again this is a must for all ages. kids loved it. It was very safe but for goodness sake dress for it. the kids in shorts and short sleeves were shivering and that bothered us. Not the staffs fault. I took my waterproof digital and my 50 zoom sony on the trip. I kept the sony safe in my rain coat unless we were obviously not ready to get wet. unfortunately my beloved 5 yr camera picked this trip to have a multi system death. this had NOTHING to do with the boat tour. but it did make getting a great photo rough. I had to hit the buttom over 10 times to get it to come on, wouldn't take pics if the camera was sideways, the door for the battery wouldn't stay shut .. yeah time for a new camera. But the point is with a working camera and if we'd set on the let side ... ohhhh boy could my pics have been better. Next time!!!! try to go when nice day with blue sky. We highly recommend this and i would love to go again on the LEFT side. read more

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The best! Fast and fun 25 miles in 90 minutes captain was 3rd generation local super informative and fun with some crazy fun navigation highly recommend read more

Riptide Ride - Tours Near Me - Munising, Michigan

I would do this 100+ more times because it was such a blast! Boat captain was super fun and gave a great tour! read more

Riptide Ride - Tours Near Me - Munising, Michigan

If I could give this ten stars, I would! Such a fun experience! Our tour guide went above and beyond to make sure we had a blast while being safe. You're gonna get wet and see the most beautiful views! Buckle up and hold on tight! You're killin' it Riptide Ride! read more

I know a lot of people enjoyed this ride. It very well could be that they do have a boat, and any boat ride would excite them. We went July 29 at 12:00. We were seated on the star board side of the boat, the boat went counter clockwise around the island. With 5 people seated between me and the island, I did not see very much. Really, I did not see any of the shore line, only that portion above the people's heads. Forget taking pictures, except for a few stops at the falls and light houses. The speaker on the boat will make you feel as if you are in a Charlie Brown movie. Difficult to understand what the caption is saying. Lastly, the spins are actually 180° turns with a quick stop. A spin sounds like you would be doing a 360° turn. But the 6 or 7 that the captain did, excited some people. Save your money and do the Picture Rock tour. Plan in advance, because this is how we ended up on the Riptide! read more

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We took this ride 7/19/23. Excellent. Family owned and run. Husband drives boat, wife Joanie runs office. You will probably get wet. Its cold. It was 67 and overcast. It started raining in the middle of our tour. We got drenched. We were freezing. Lots of whipping and twirling and spinning. Very fun. Adequate parking. If you are pulling a trailer, like us. You are driving around trying to find a place to park. There is a high school and apparently a a baseball field that may be options. We did not fund s spot that worked and missed our boat and they were kind enough to let us go standby on another boat that day. We had to drive a hour , drop our trailer and return. Because the weather was bad it was slow. They would not let us return another day. Very kind owners. read more

We were visiting Munising MI to see the Pictured Rock National Lakeshore, and what better way than by boat! We looked at Sunset tours, Kayak tours and all were very expensive. My husband came across Riptide Ride and for $42/pp and an 1.5hr we thought it reasonable and fun thing to do. We had NO idea HOW MUCH FUN we would have!!! Action packed ride that takes us from the dock to around Grand Island on a Coast Guard cutter boat, we FLEW across Lake Superior! Banking left and right, boat spray in our hair, it was MASSIVE fun!!! Once we got to the island, we saw lighthouses, Bad Eagles, and too numerous to count waterfalls. Captain Larry knew what he was doing and not only did I feel safe but it was a thrill ride on water! I'd HIGHLY recommend this tour!!! read more

Riptide Ride - Tours Near Me - Munising, Michigan

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Beautiful, exhilarating, informative & fun. You could also get wet. All that plus the owners are a couple of the nicest people you'll ever meet. Highly recommend. read more

Captain was amazing. Super fun ride, He gave a ton of information about Grand Island. He is a pro at maneuvering the boat into small spaces for a close look. He has a good eye for spotting eagles and falcons. Definitely check this ride out! You will not be disappointed. read more

Went on the 5:00 ride today, and it was perfect! The guide was personable and gave us a great experience for the price. The views are stunning, and you are given history and perspective of the sights in front of you. Great way to spend an afternoon. read more

The whole experience kicked ass! Amazing captain and an amazing experience. We will be back in the future!

Just off the Rip Tide in Munising MI. Captain Tim and his family have a great attraction in the Munising Area. Awesome tour of Grand Island. History. Light houses. High speed spins. Waterfalls. Caves. High speed spins. Eagles. High speed spins. I have family that lives in the area so we are in town multiple times per year. Why I did I wait so long to take a ride on the Rip Tide? My kids loved it! This will be an annual summer must do. Add to my list: Jump off AuTrain Bridge. Hike to Chapel Falls. Swim in waves Miners Beach. Shower in the falls at Tannery Falls. Late night swim at Sand Point. Thank you Captain Tim and Sean!!!!! read more

This was a really great experience in the waters. The ride is of 1:30 hours and you circle a island in the lae superior. The guy is very knowledgeable and shows everything around on the island and talks about the history of the place. The best part is when he turns the boat to 360 degree. It's too much fun. I find this concept of this local business very great. The business is owned by the family of four and I feel great to have contribute to their business. read more

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If you have neck or back issues maybe skip this in all honesty. I enjoyed it-the driver mixed in a small tour with the ride. Beautiful views, informative and a bit of fun with the sharp turns. read more

Riptide Ride - Tours Near Me - Munising, Michigan

This was so much fun. Music, thrilling boat spins, a charming boat captain, gorgeous weather and the most beautiful coastal scenery in the upper peninsula. We got wet but we expected that and planned accordingly. We did all the Pictured Rocks tours and this was our hands down favorite. read more

Riptide Ride - Pictured Rocks - Tours Near Me - Munising, Michigan

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This boat ride was a great way to see the beautiful rock formations of Grand Island. We thought about doing an inland island tour before we chose Riptide Ride. We definitely chose the better option! If you are walking along the trails on the island, you would never realize the beautiful land you are standing on! You ride in caves so close that you can almost touch the rock. You will see waterfalls, wildlife, and beautiful geological formations. The boat moves quickly and the captain will spin around or stop quickly to soak you- it's awesome! Plan to get wet or wear a poncho. I only brought my phone out to take pictures when we were going at a slow cruise. Then he would speed up to keep you on your toes if you were going to get wet. Unfortunately it was a little rough out at the north point of the island. My daughter (9y) gets motion sickness and this was rough for her. I also get motion sickness too but I was just fine. I would definitely do this again when we go back to Munising. We had families with kids as young as 7y on the boat and all had a great time (except my daughter)! read more

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My 9- and 12-year-olds chose this, and the whole family had an absolute blast. We'd already done the Glass-Bottom Boat Shipwreck Tour, and I was afraid they'd get a little bored looking at some of the same stuff, but this added a whole new dimension. On the shipwreck tour, we saw several Grand Island caves, but with the smaller size of the Riptide boat, we were able to get nearly inside them. We also got almost underneath Cedar Falls. As for the crazy spins - yes! The captain warns you ahead of time, but even when you think you're prepared - you're not! You definitely get wet. A few notes to help you prepare: The person sitting next to the water of course gets the wettest ... but they also get squashed during the spins, due to the centrifugal force. So definitely DON'T put the smallest person (like a kid) by the water and the largest person by the aisle, or they will get crushed. Also, you need raincoats - NOT sweatshirts. My daughters kept saying, "We have sweatshirts," and I had to repeat, "NO. You need RAINCOATS." Most of the people on the ride were wearing sweatshirts, and when the first wave hit, they were then wearing a soaked sweatshirt the rest of the ride. You'll also want a hood or waterproof hat; within a few minutes, everyone on the ride who had a hood put it up and tied it as tightly around their heads as possible. And for sure wear waterproof shoes or sandals - the biggest waves went over our lower legs and feet. I was worried the ride would be more about the spins than actually giving us a good look at Pictured Rocks, but that's definitely not the case. I feel like we got a thorough look at some lovely formations, shoreline and waterfalls. We also saw several bald eagles. We all thought the ride was just the right amount of time. On our way back, my daughter said, "It's over already? That went so fast!" Also, big thumbs up for the customer service. It was just terrific. En route to Riptide Ride, we ran into bad traffic and were running late. I called to let them know we'd be about 5 minutes late. We arrived 2 minutes late, and Joanie in the gift shop told us we were all set and sent us right to the boat, where everyone was waiting for us. We just so appreciated the captain's and Joanie's kindness. read more

Riptide Ride - Inside one of the cutouts in Pictured Rocks - Tours Near Me - Munising, Michigan

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Had a blast on the Riptide Ride! Captain Tim provided a lot of info about Grand Island. He also provided a lot of info to keep everyone safe aboard the boat. Get there early if you want your choice in seats. We sat in the first two rows and got absolutely soaked! Exactly what we wanted. We have done 3 "jet boat" types of experiences; VA Beach, Niagara, and now Munising. This one has been our favorite so far. read more

So much fun but you will get wet! Captain Tim made the ride both fun and educational. We enjoyed this very much and would definitely do it again. read more

Awesome ride with some thrills, but not too scary for kids. Put on some bug spray if the black flies are biting!

Awesome tour. Why spend all your time getting to your destination when you can get there fast and see more of the sights. What a real gem in Munising. A family run operation that has to be the funniest job on the lake. Take passengers out on a fast boat, get them wet, show them the sights, do some fast turns. You will get wet. If it's a stormy day or the waves are high, it might not be so fun. 78 degrees, sunny and 2 foot waves. I'm grinning from ear to ear. read more

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Ride was fantastic both for the views and the boat ride. Be prepared for a beautiful and fun ride! Owners were very personable and friendly making the whole experience amazing. Definitely would recommend! read more

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We had such a great ride. Love the local history that was given and the Eagle spotting. read more

Riptide Ride - Tours Near Me - Munising, Michigan